Autocross -- pushing my '77 to the limit

[PSU442]

So, some of you may have noticed my new found interest in things like gauges, tachs, rims, etc. Well, here's why.... SCCA Autocross!!! This is something I've been attracted to for years and this past weekend I finally gave it a shot... and loved it!!! I know some of you are going to think I'm crazy for taking an Oldsmobile to a competition dominated by tuners but I had a blast. The other drivers were a great group of guys (and girls) who were more than happy to help me out anyway they could (whether walking the course with me pre-race to adjusting my air pressure between heats.) And some of the other cars were incredible! To make a long story short, I'm really going to give a go at this... it's something that can give me (and my car) purpose. And it's about time I find a recreational activity. Believe it or not, it was my girlfriend who pushed me over the fence to go!!! Anyway, posted below are pics as well as a link for you to check out the results. Amazingly, I wasn't the slowest ride out there!!!

http://scca-cpr.com/Results/2007/Summer/4/Best

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6724/autocross1ny9.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/362/autocross2ir5.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1373/autocross3iw7.jpg


and for those of you who have no idea what Autocross is, look here. The official site can explain it better than me...

http://www.scca.com/Solo/Solo2.asp?IdS=3B13E0-944C230&x=050|030&~=

[Doug Blake]

Cool, good for you Chris!! looked like you were getting better, and better times.

What's the future plans/mods? Bigger sway bars? Lower car 1.5"?

[sumrof75]

own em' fix em' love em' and drive em' its what Doc would have wanted!

[damaged442]

That is awesome! It must have been pretty cool being the only Olds.

[texxas8902]

Super bad! Must have been a lot of fun. I would think that for a small outlay of cash you could improve the handling and your times. I have a 78 Z/28 sway bar on the front of my 67 Cutlass. Would Trans Am, Z/28 sway bars fit the 442? What about the big tubular 4th gen Fbody sway bars? I know a 78-81 Trans-Am WS-6 steering box would fit and cut down on turns lock to lock. You could add parts on the cheap and keep it looking stock. Anyway, go do it again, I would bet your times will improve with just the experience you have gained from your first time autocrossing.

[ragz442]

Way to go Chris! These old boats don't handle to bad. Bigger sway bars and a lower stance should definatly help you out. Sound like texxas8902 has some good suggestions. Good luck.

[PSU442]

thanks for the support, guys! it's appreciated. you're absolutely right about experience, Texx. My goal for this season is to get as much 'seat time' -- that's what they call it -- as I can get. After that, I'll have a better idea of how serious I am about this. I'm not one for pipe dreams but you never know. I have been leaning toward pro-touring for quite a while... another reason everything seemed to make sense after racing for the first time. As for future plans/mods, it all depends on the finances available of course but my girlfriend has promised me that any freelance income I bring in can be go straight into the Olds. Talking briefly to the guys at the track, the first thing they said to get is low-profile performance tires. They said that after you get your tires, then re-access how your car is handling and go after the suspension from there. So, step one will probably be getting a new set of rims and a nice set of performance tires. That would probably be next winter. As far as rims, I'm not going for anything fancy. I like the powder-coat black rims Crager has these days and the 17x8 sizes are cheap. I don't know if its smart to offset the front and back widths for autocross or not. Any ideas? The only other mods I'd like to make this winter would be an electric fan for in between laps (I'm worried about overheating,) performance brake pads, and misc upgrades like that. Looking way down the road would be the suspension work (I do need to replace my current rear shocks however so that may come sooner.) I've heard of Trans Am steering box, that's something I've been thinking about for years. That would definitely be on the 'to-do list.'

speaking of a lower stance --- how can I lower my can when no one makes a lowered spring for our car?

[brad442]

Chris,

That is awesome! Is it me, or do our cars look really good in motion? Especially without the trim rings, they look like some type of factory racer.

Congrats on having fun and doing that! If this was your girlfriends idea... I would marry her quickly! LOL!

[damaged442]

Congrats on having fun and doing that! If this was your girlfriends idea... I would marry her quickly! LOL!

No kidding! I can't even get my wife to have anything to do with my cars!

[sledhead2]

chris goto midsizedbowties their was a guy there that autocrossed chevelles, I will see if I still have his E-mail, anyways he knew several tricks. One is to get aftermarket upper and lower control arms. These are engineered correct. It turns out that are car steering geomatry(sp) is wrong, that is why people switch to the big body cars control arms. what happens is that when are wheels are turned they angle which cause's the tire to ride on the edge and reduces contact with the road. the after market and big car parts keep the tire level to the road. More later

Look at your photo of the car in a turn you will see your tire on the edge.

[keith455]

Years ago I bought lowered springs from H-O racing.
http://horacing.com/

Contact:
http://www.hoenterprises.com/WSFF/applications/CommCenter/images/blueLine.gif Name: KEN CROCIE Email: crocie@msn.com PONTIAC PERFORMANCE ADVICE ,CONSULTATION,and SELECTED H-O RACING AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS AFTERMARKET ENGINE RELATED PERFORMANCE PARTS ,AS WELL AS HIGH PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FOR TRADITIONAL "A" & "F" BODY GM MUSCLE CARS OF THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES ,AS WELL AS GM "B" BODY FULL SIZE CARS OF THE SEVENTIES , EIGHTIES , AND NINETIES(SS Impalas, Caprices ,etc.). Information:
http://www.hoenterprises.com/WSFF/applications/CommCenter/images/blueLine.gif 8780 Bajado ct
Rancho Cucamonga Ca.91730
909-980-1451

[zodiacblue442]

Chris - That is really cool! I don't know what's more awesome, checking out the pics of your car on the track or the fact that your girlfriend convinced you to go do it! :) SHE must be awesome! :) I wanted to tell you the 2nd generation Z28 and Trans Am (I think the years were 1970-1981) had 1 1/4" front sway bars. They are a direct bolt on to `73-`77 Cutlass. I have one on my `73 442 and it really stiffens up the heavy front end. I noticed alot less body roll in hard cornering compared to the 1" bar. The 1" bar came with the Cutlass and 442 rallye suspension package. The std. size bar for the run of the mill Cutlass was actually 7/8"! Yeah, let's put a toothpick on a 4,000+ pound car! You can either buy a new 1 1/4" bar or find a good used one in a junk yard. The used one I bought was under $50. If you get a used one, just remember to get the sway bar to frame brackets too. They're bigger than the ones for the 7/8" and 1" bars. Last I checked, end link kits and sway bar rubber bushings were still available from a well stocked auto parts store like NAPA or Car Quest.
Hope this helps and HAVE FUN!
G

[mich77442]

Chris great thread. I tested cars on road courses for a living, but it does get old after while. After a long day of testing cars at high rates of speed you are whipped. Not only physical but mental. Keep it up and let the forum know how your doing.

[Team11HurstOlds]

I'm sorry that I only saw this thread now but I have to say that I think its great you took your 442 to the track. Don't doubt yourself or the car, with some suspension wheel and brake upgrades you will be stomping those late model cars! I enjoy taking my Olds to autocross events, it's great to see the look on people's faces when you post an impressive time in a big car. Keep up the good work and by the way your girlfriend is a keeper!

[1968olds98]

Muhahaha

http://www.73-77olds.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4524#post4524

General Rule is 70?-79 F body stuff will fit the front with NO issue, Double check